Performing Arts

What is the fundamental purpose of our department?
The AFHS Fine Arts Department is committed to helping students to develop their artistic abilities and leadership skills by exposing students to the arts through the use of critical thinking and the development of artistic and technical skills.

How do we achieve our desired end results?
Our vision includes:
• The development of artistic and technical skills, along with the use of critical thinking by using the disciplines of art, which include: aesthetics, criticism, production, and history.
• The development of ethical behavior by respecting others and their work by producing exceptional performances/works of art.

How must we behave to support our mission and vision?
• We value critical thinking through the use of art criticism, aesthetics, history, and student leadership opportunities.
• We value the production of works of art and performances, which helps students to develop artistic and technical skills.
• We value ethical behavior through learning how to respect each other and the works that are produced.
• We value ethical behavior through learning respect for the instruments, tools, and materials used in the fine arts classrooms.

What are our fundamental beliefs?
• We believe that the fine arts are an integral part to developing well rounded, highly educated, productive, and creative individuals.
• The fine arts teach students that problems can have more than one solution and that questions can have more than one answer.
• We believe that our students and programs at AFHS unify and build relationships between the school community and community at large.
• Encourage each individual to work in a creative, cooperative, and collaborative manner while promoting independent thinking.
• Students learn best in a participative and creative environment placed within a firm framework of high standards in teaching and learning.
• We believe that in giving students leadership opportunities, we are assisting in building the successful community and business leaders of the future.
• The above beliefs are assessed as students are evaluated through the displays, performances, festivals, and competitions at the local, state, and national levels.

Focusing our MVVB on the Four Questions
Question #1–What do we expect our students to learn?
We want our students to learn performance and production of the fine arts including criticism, historical context, and contemporary practice. We also encourage leadership opportunities for our students.

Question #2–How will know what students have learned?
We will know what they have learned through performances/productions, assessments, tests, and evaluations at the regional, state, and national levels.

Question #3–How will we respond to students who are not learning?
If students struggle with the material, we respond by reviewing the material in sequential instruction and also new and varied ways with the class and with individuals as needed.

Question #4–How do we respond to students who have already learned the material?
Students who have already learned the material have the opportunity of participating in advanced performance/project opportunities such as state performances and visual arts festivals.